I've been working as the Social Media Editor and a staff writer at Forbes since October 2011. Prior to that, I worked as a freelance writer and contributor here. On this blog, I focus on futurism, cutting edge technology, and breaking research. Follow me on Twitter - @thealexknapp. You can email me at aknapp@forbes.com

And I think with Star Trek, it’s easy enough to solve: have each season revolve around a long-arc mission and all of the things that happen along the way, some of which will be serious, some of which will be goofy, all of which will offer opportunities for different tones and different points — in other words, make the show like Buffy. But I actually wonder if the Very Serious Point bit, the optimism about a progressive, secular, interconnected vision of the future might actually be the bigger challenge for networks that are either skittish about politics or committed to a gritty, pessimistic take on them. I would love to see a network show (as opposed to a cable network like Showtime or SyFy) have a major character on a show who is a rehabilitated extremist.

Last night, I snarked at both of them that their ideal Star Trek series has already been created: it was called Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which for my money is easily the best of the Trek series. It’s the only Trek that, I think, grappled seriously with the cultural conflicts endemic in a star spanning, inclusive Federation. One of its major themes was the conflict between idealism and pragmatism; between extremism and simple defense of values. Through its story arcs, it explored the implications of genetic engineering, religion, the morality of war, terrorism, security, the conflicts between capitalism and classical liberal values, and much more than that.

It’s the most ambitious of the Trek series by far, and while there were some very bad episodes, it wasn’t because of a lack of trying. Now, I’ll admit that Next Generation had more great episodes than DS9, but the quality of DS9 was consistently higher. And in my opinion, there is no finer episode of science fiction television that the DS9 episode “In the Pale Moonlight.”

But I know what you’re thinking. “Snark is cheap, Knapp! The question is, what would you do to put Star Trek back on the air?”

That’s a fair question. And here’s my response: give me total creative control and a decent budget, and I won’t put one Star Trek series on the air. I’ll put three on the air. Three smaller series – 32 episodes total, per season, for all three. The point of each series is to explore different issues of the Federation and universe it inhabits, while at the same time getting back to both classic science fiction and morality plays. Here they are:

Star Trek: To Boldly Go (12 episodes per season)

This is the “flagship” series. To Boldly Go centers around the new captain of the starship Enterprise, following Captain Picard’s promotion to Admiral. This is the “old school” Trek show – the Enterprise is out there seeking new life and new civilizations, boldly going where no one has gone before. It will be mostly episodic, but will take on the aspect of modern episodic dramas in the sense that major changes will stick rather than having a return to the status quo. The 12 episodes however, mean that To Boldly Go can be more focused. And I’d revive the tradition established in the original series of having great science fiction writers stepping in to pen the episodes. Dream writers for season one include: John Scalzi, Wil Wheaton, Elizabeth Moon, Charles Stross, Cory Doctorow, Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman, Jo Walton, Ursula LeGuin, and others. Throw some ideas in the comments.

Star Trek: Office of the President (10 episodes per season)

It will take no time flat for this show to be nicknamed “West Wing: The Next Generation” – but that’s okay. That’s the vibe I want. One thing that I loved about the Deep Space Nine was the little big of a glance we got into the workings of the Federation government. I think the time is ripe to do more. How does one government manage the affairs of over 150 member worlds? What kinds of economic challenges arise in an era where money is obsolete because scarcity is obsolete? How are cultural conflicts and civil liberties issues resolved? Does the Federation have political parties? I think that there’s a real potential to tell some interesting stories that have never really been told on TV in a science fiction context. And the beauty of it is that this show can be cheap. Just a strong core cast and some sets. There’ll be very little need for too many special effects. But that focus on character can lead to strong, relevant stories.

Star Trek: Section 31 (10 episodes per season)

This one is my baby. If only one series happened, this would be the one I’d choose to do. Deep Space Nine introduced the Star Trek universe to Section 31 – a clandestine, quasi-official intelligence operation that does the “dirty work” of the Federation. Officially, Starfleet opposes the organization. Unofficially, Starfleet officials have cooperated with it in order to “do what needs done.” This is a concept ripe for concise, focused series. Here’s my pitch for it -

Wu Zhuangzi is the most promising Starfleet cadet in ages. At the top of his senior class in all areas, Zhuangzi is set to not only be the youngest person to ever graduate from Starfleet Academy, it’s widely believed that he will also beat James T. Kirk’s record of being the youngest Captain to command a starship. So it’s a shock when, at a crucial moment during his final exam at the Academy – a training cruise on a starship – he disobeys the order of his commander to follow his conscience. He’s summarily dismissed from the Academy. Six months later, drinking alone at a bar, Zhuangzi is recruited by a member of Section 31, who thinks he has great potential to be successful. Zhuangzi is then placed into his first mission, where he succeeds with flying colors. This success cements his membership in the organization.

And then, at the end of our first story arc, he contacts Starfleet Intelligence, letting them know that he’s successfully infiltrated Section 31. What follows is a series full of intrigue and ethical dilemmas as Zhuangzi works to destroy Section 31 from the inside. All the while, his conviction is challenged as he’s surrounded by earnest people who genuinely believe they’re doing what’s best for the Federation, even as they’re committing crimes and atrocities.

Crossing Over

The great thing about having three series set up this way is that there’s a potential for cross over, but there doesn’t have to be any true intersection. For example, the President may face a diplomatic crisis caused by the crew of the Enterprise in the course of one of its missions. The Enterprise might have to deal with the consequences of a Section 31 mission that Zhuangzi thwarted. Or Zhuangzi may learn that a member of the President’s staff has been passing information to members of Section 31. There’s a great potential to tell stories from different angles without necessarily having the actors in the same room.

So that’s how I’d reboot Star Trek – using modern story conventions and three different angles to explore different aspects of living in the future and contemporary ethical dilemmas. How would you do it?

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I’ve got an idea: how about the Federation is destroyed by a robot civilization and only a few ships survive. These ships are chased all across the galaxy by these robots – and some of these robots look and sound and act *just like humans!*

Great ideas, especially “Section 31″! Last week I was talking with a fellow screenwriter about the reports of David Foster pitching a new Star Trek series ( http://www.slashfilm.com/david-foster-preparing-pitch-star-trek-series/ ) and I gave my own pitch for a Star Trek show idea that I think is pretty solid. Can I join y’all in the Star Trek story ideas blogging?

No really. I like the ‘Section 31′ and the ‘Idlewild’ concepts, I just think those characters should be represented with a pirate crew from the mirror universe. This will give it the connective tissue to the original series and the ability to explore a ‘Jack Sparrow’ like captain in a Star Fleet universe for generational relevance. I’m not a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ lover, just the fun and adventure that could connect with today’s audience. What would happen if you brought a ship from the mirrorverse to permanently reside on this side? It seemed that Voyager started down this path by combining Chakotay’s crew of the renegade Maquis ship, but the fleet rules and regulations became the norm.

This mirrorverse ‘Dark Star’ crew would the norm in their reality but on this side, they would be considered rebels, pirates – Adding to their crew those ‘cream of the crop’ that this Star Fleet rejected because of their rebel ways of circumventing regulation – Adding to their ship’s arsenal and technology as they subdue villainous elements in the universe – Adding to their resources the booty of the vanquished. Think ‘The Dark Night’ vigilantes with the leadership and fun of a ‘Jack Sparrow’ captain. They would do what Star Fleet can’t do because of Federation law but necessary to keep chaos and destruction from taking over. Chaos and order in the universe; chaos is always willing to cross the line but how will order invade chaos.

The ONLY decent StarTrek was Enterpirse (the last TV version)!! It was the only one that was not Hokkie, Absurb, PC or over the top with “socially significant teaching”. It finally had the raw HUMANALITY and Sexuality that one would expect in an environment with males and females stuck in space for long periods of time.

The CGI was believable and the acting was superb. Scott Bakula was the best “Kirkish” captain of all time, Linda Park and Jolene Blalock were both intelligent and plenty slutty as any hot looking woman could be when needed (their needs). The whole cast gets commendations for being realistic “beings” no matter what World Enthnic life they were.

All the other Trek’s had over or sloppy acting, stupid characters like that of Hikaru Sulu, and Pavel Chekov, the far-fethched Changling “Odo”, the obnoxious Neelix and the various OVER-ACTING by actors on DS9, Voyager and The Next Generation, which had more than too much obnoxious “creatures” and villains.

Just bring back StarTrek Enterprise with the original cast. Scott Bakkula was wasting his talent on the lame Everyone Hates Raymond Robozo’s Men of a Certain Lame show. (Ray Romano “Rabozo” sounds like Kermit the Frog! Who can stand listening to him!!??)

they never gave enterprise a chance they had it move to slowly they should have picked the pace up on the new technology like shields tractor beam and a next version of enterprise i think it would have been watched more and kept everyone interested

Aside from all the comments about characters or acting ability, one way to consider the Star Trek: Enterprise movie is that the time setting for this feature episode was prior to Captain Kirk. The Federation was younger then and the members of the ship were still a part of the overly-dramatic, sensual era of dress and thought. The time setting for the Classic Trek followed that of Enterprise, in which dress and conduct were more regimented, and seemed to plateau with Next Generation, DS9 and Voyager.

So we simply need more sequels to the Enterprise series, just to see how badly the producers can reinterpret and/or maul the social issues of our time. Personally, I want more explosions and cool navigation acrobatics in space…show the world just how good those helmsmen really are!

Although I won’t go so far as to say the other Star Treks were that bad (I enjoyed all of them and started watching from the start) Enterprise (the last series) was my favorite. The show took a look at what it would be like to be the first ‘out there’ and the progression of the characters was believable. It’s unfortunate that the show was cancelled long before it’s time. The Romulan War alone would have been great to see as would the beginning of the Federation (including the initiation of Starfleet Academy.) To this day I’m incredibly disappointed with the vitriol response of many ‘fans’ of the show. They never really gave that show the chance it deserved in my opinion.